face-off
/ˈfeɪsˌɒf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfeɪsˌɑːf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfās-ˌȯf How to pronounce face-off (audio)/ (ame, mw)
face-off — noun
1. a direct and often tense meeting in which two people, groups, or teams oppose ea
a direct and often tense meeting in which two people, groups, or teams oppose each other in argument or competition.
The election has become a face-off between two former business partners.
pattern: face-off between two sides
Police watched the gate as the protest turned into a face-off.
turn into a face-off
Saturday's face-off with Seoul United will decide who tops the league.
After months of threats, the interview became a face-off on live television.
The budget meeting ended in a face-off over cuts to school lunches.
- agreement
a result where both sides accept the same plan
- compromise
a settlement reached by both sides giving something up
文法句型
a face-off between two sides
a face-off with somebody
a face-off over something
用法筆記
Usually names a public or highly visible conflict between two clear sides. Common after between, with, or over to show the opponent or the issue causing the clash.
常見錯誤
2. in ice hockey, a play restart where two opponents wait for the puck to be releas
in ice hockey, a play restart where two opponents wait for the puck to be released between them.
The referee ordered a face-off after the puck flew into the bench.
call/order a face-off
Nikhil won the face-off and pushed the puck back to his teammate.
win the face-off
A face-off near the goal gave the home side one last shot.
The coach swapped centers before the face-off in the final minute.
文法句型
win the face-off
lose the face-off
face-off near the goal
line up for the face-off
用法筆記
Used mainly in ice hockey and lacrosse reports. Common verbs are call, win, lose, and line up for, and the wording often tells you where on the ice it happens.
常見錯誤
face-off — phrasal verb
- face-offbase form
- face-offs3rd person singular
- face-offing-ing form
- face-offedpast simple
1. in ice hockey or lacrosse, to take positions opposite an opponent while the refe
in ice hockey or lacrosse, to take positions opposite an opponent while the referee starts or restarts play.
The two centers faced off at mid-ice after the timeout.
face off at + place
Both teams will face off again after the ice crew clears the snow.
face off again after a stoppage
Rin and the captain bent low and faced off as the referee raised the puck.
The wings moved into place while the centers faced off near the home net.
- take the draw
hockey wording that focuses on the attempt to win the puck
- line up for the draw
describes the players getting into position
文法句型
face off at center ice
face off after a stoppage
face off near the net
用法筆記
The subject is the players or teams taking the draw, not the referee. Distinguish from noun sense 2: this sense names the action performed by the players, while the noun names the restart itself.
常見錯誤
2. to confront, argue with, or compete directly against someone, often in a public
to confront, argue with, or compete directly against someone, often in a public contest or dispute.
Paloma will face off against the mayor in tonight's televised debate.
face off against + opponent
Two robotics teams faced off for the title in a crowded gym.
face off for + prize/title
Tariro is ready to face off with the defending champion on Saturday.
Union leaders face off over pay talks again next week.
Christopher and Ilan faced off in court over the use of the family name.
- square off
close in meaning, often a little more physical or dramatic
- compete
broader and less confrontational
- clash
can stress open disagreement more than formal competition
文法句型
face off against somebody
face off with somebody
face off over something
用法筆記
Often followed by against, with, or over. Used for debates, sports contests, legal fights, and other direct contests. Unlike sense 1, it does not describe the puck-drop start itself.